Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Why was Wright's sentence longer than Jim Black's?

Why was Wright’s sentence longer than Black’s?
When Superior Court Judge Henry Hight sentenced former state Rep. Thomas Wright to prison Monday to a minimum of 70 months, it was longer than former House Speaker Jim Black’s sentence of 63 months and former Rep. Michael Decker’s of 48 months. Why the disparity?
A key reason: Wright was charged, tried, convicted and sentenced in state court. Black and Decker were sentenced in federal courts. And while fairness would seem to require that those sentenced for corruption ought to get sentences that are proportionate not just to the crime but also to other sentences for political corruption, the plain fact is there’s little attention given to what fairness might dictate. Everything depends upon the prosecutor, the charges brought, the jury’s makeup and decision, and the judge who delivers a sentence. And judges themselves, of course, must abide by the dictates of the differing federal and state sentencing guidelines. Federal judges particularly have to go through a long process before pronouncing sentences, and their discretion is limited, though not as much as it used to be. State judges’ discretion is also controlled by mitigating and aggravating factors.
For a thorough look at these cases, take a look at my Raleigh colleague Laura Leslie’s pondering on the disparities on her WUNC radio blog “Isaac Hunter’s Tavern.” Click here and scroll down to the section "Running the numbers." She covered the trial and her blogs over the past week include audio excerpts from the trial that are illuminating. As usual, she does a first-rate job of covering things.
She also notes that Rep. Wright never apologized for his missteps. Those of us who have covered trials before have noted that defiant defendants seem to be in extra jeopardy of longer sentences when they refuse to own up to crimes after they’re convicted. That raises another fairness factor: If you don’t agree that you’re guilty, you may spend even more time in prison.
Is that fair or unfair?

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

All 3 were democrats. Surprise, Surprise!!!

Anonymous said...

So, you don't think race had anything to do with the verdict?

Anonymous said...

I knew someone would bring that up. A criminal is a criminal, no matter what his job is, or what color his skin is!

Anonymous said...

Lets faceit JIM BLACK was set up in a 'toe tapping' restroom event; Wright is evading taxes and I look for the IRS to appear dressed in a cloud of gray smoke POOF ! Black cape and Horns with a barbed tail emerges. The IRS is the one who advises Judges on what the sentence will be.

Anonymous said...

Jim BLACK was put in because of the LOTTERY in a BIBLE STATE; Many Rich folks were trying to have it stopped . I think some Rich folks here want a CASINO in town like a HARRAHS but exclusive to the CAROLINA's . Look at HARRAHS now you cant get a machine its so crowded.

Anonymous said...

When it comes to MONEY in this STATE the rich and political pulpit will stampede you to get some money.

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